Notebook: Remparts, Islanders advance

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The top two teams in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Eastern Conference standings have earned spots in the second round of the President Cup playoffs.

The Quebec Remparts and Charlottetown Islanders both finished off first round sweeps on Monday night. The Remparts doubled up the Chicoutimi Sagueneens 6-3 while the Islanders allowed just 13 shots in a 5-0 win over the Moncton Wildcats.

The Remparts, the No. 1 seed, will face the lowest Eastern Conference seed that advances to the next round. If the Saint John Sea Dogs defeat the Rimouski Oceanic Tuesday night, that would lock in a Sea Dogs-Islanders second round series while the Remparts would face the winner of the Halifax-Bathurst series.

Over in the Western Conference, the Shawinigan Cataractes were the lone team to complete a first round sweep, eliminating the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

Here's a look at the remaining series heading into action Tuesday.

Eastern Conference

Rimouski (6) vs Saint John (3): Sea Dogs lead 2-1

Halifax (5) vs Bathurst (4): Mooseheads lead 2-1

Western Conference

Baie-Comeau (8) vs Sherbrooke (1): Phoenix lead 2-1

Val-d'Or (7) vs Gatineau (2): Olympiques lead 2-1

Blainville-Boisbriand (5) vs Drummondville (4): Armada lead 2-1

SUSPENSION

Rimouski's Alexandre Lefebvre has been suspended two games by the QMJHL for his knee on Saint John's Jeremie Poirier in Friday's game at TD Station.

Lefebvre was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for his actions, which took place midway through the first period. He'll miss games three and four of the first round series between the Oceanic and Sea Dogs.

Poirier was helped off the ice and to the dressing room but returned later in the period.

Lefebvre, 18, had six assists in 34 games with Rimouski during the regular season.

Notebook: MHL playoffs off to fun start

SAINT JOHN - If the opening round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoffs are anything like the Maritime Junior Hockey League's, we're in for a wild ride.

There were two significant upsets in the MHL's first round with the Valley Wildcats (19-16-2-1) upsetting the Eastlink South Division's top seeded Yarmouth Mariners (25-8-4-1) in six games and the Fredericton Red Wings (22-12-2-0) eliminating the Eastlink North Division's second-place squad in the Campbellton Tigers (23-8-4-1) in six matches.

The Truro Bearcats (19-15-2-0), the No. 3 seed in the South, also upended the Amherst Ramblers (19-14-2-2), the No. 2 seed, in five games.

The MHL's semifinals will feature the Wildcats facing the Bearcats and the Red Wings taking on the top-ranked Summerside Western Capitals. Even the Western Capitals, who finished 18 points ahead of the Edmundston Blizzard, needed five games to advance to the next round (each series was/is best-of-seven).

Some notable names to watch in the MHL semifinals:

Fredericton Red Wings: Zachary Alchorn, Logan Carruthers, Connor McCluskey and Mathias Savoie

Summerside Western Capitals: Josh MacDonald and Sam Dow

Truro Bearcats: Brady Stone and Frederic Plourde

Valley Wildcats: Luke Wilson, Julian Vander Voet, Antoine Lyonnais and Justin Bourque

GREAT PIC

Quite a photo captured by Sea Dogs team photographer Michael Hawkins on Wednesday night.

Last night's OT Winner: Philippe Daoust or Bobby Orr? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/bVEQOF30WQ

— x - Saint John Sea Dogs (@SJSeaDogs) April 7, 2022 

Notebook: Thursday is the big day

Kevin Chambers/Station Nation

Thursday will be a defining day in the Saint John Sea Dogs' quest to lift the Memorial Cup on home ice this June.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's trade deadline is Thursday at 1 p.m. Atlantic, per the Times & Transcript (paywall). Whether the team wins or doesn't win the Memorial Cup in a few months, the Sea Dogs' actions - or inactions - on Thursday will be analyzed for years to come. No pressure!

The Sea Dogs head into deadline day with plenty of assets to make deals with. Here are the picks the team currently hold, via the French fan boards:

2022: 1-1CHA-2-7-7VIC-8-9-10MON-10GAT-11-12-13-14

2023: 1SHE-2-4-5-6-10-11-13-14

2024: 1-3-5-6-7-7VDO-8-9-10-11-12-13-14

Saint John also has a big group of prospects from the 2021 draft they could use in deals.

The Sea Dogs are expected to acquire Elliot Desnoyers from the Halifax Mooseheads. It's hard to imagine the Sea Dogs not making more moves given the assets they have, but time will tell.

SEVIGNY HONOURED

New Sea Dogs defenseman Vincent Sevigny has been named the QMJHL's d-man of the month for December.

From the QMJHL:

Vincent Sevigny will be afforded the opportunity to challenge for the 2022 Memorial Cup thanks to a recent trade to the tournament host Saint John Sea Dogs. However, his last month of play with the Tigres was a highlight in itself. The veteran blueliner made his way onto the scoresheet in every December matchup, including a four-point outing against the Cape Breton Eagles on the 9th. That was one of four multi-point efforts for Sevigny in the month. He finishes his career in Victoriaville with 97 points in 208 games, not to mention a 2021 President Cup title.

Sevigny heads to the Port City ranked fourth among all rearguards in scoring with 28 points in 25 games. He started the season with invites to NHL training camps from both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators.

The Sea Dogs acquired the overager from the Tigres in exchange for three draft picks on Dec. 20. It's the only official deal the team has made during the holiday trade period.

Notebook: Sea Dogs entering extended break

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

Saint John Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie released a statement Wednesday evening as the QMJHL enters its extended holiday break.

"This longer pause gives our young men a chance to return home to their loved ones for the holidays," Georgie said. "The majority of them have not seen their families since the beginning of August. It also allows enough time to respect all proper provincial quarantine guidelines when travelling to their families and for when they return to their second home here in Saint John.

"At this point in time, we are planning to kick off the second half of the season in late January."

In a news conference on Tuesday, commissioner Gilles Courteau said the best case scenario for the league's return is games resuming - with a normal schedule - somewhere around Jan. 17-20. If regular travel is still not permitted by then, the league will look into holding several bubbles in late January.

Georgie also noted that Sea Dogs season ticket members will be reimbursed if the club does not host its planned 30 total home games this season.

ANOTHER QUARANTINE

You really have to feel for Sea Dogs goaltender Creed Jones.

Jones quarantined when he arrived in Rimouski for training camp; then quarantined when he was traded to Saint John; and is now in the final days of his third quarantine after a Sea Dogs staff member tested positive for COVID-19. He has spent 42 days in a hotel room over the past three months, as noted by the Peterborough Examiner in a now locked article about the overage netminder.

The article noted that Jones is considering spending the holidays with his billet family in Saint John to avoid a fourth quarantine when play is expected to resume in January - and who can blame him.

Jones has had his struggles this season, posting a 4.36 goals against average and a .872 save percentage. Hopefully he can avoid more quarantines in the second half and get more comfortable in the crease.

Notebook: MacIntosh back in MHL

SAINT JOHN - Aiden MacIntosh has found a new home.

MacIntosh, who had a goal and two assists in 13 games with the Sea Dogs this season, is back in the Maritime Hockey League where he dressed for the Fredericton Red Wings on Saturday night. It was MacIntosh's first game in the MHL since the 2017-18 season.

The 18-year-old had been used sparingly by the Sea Dogs this season, and it makes sense for him to be playing somewhere he'll get ice time. It didn't take long for MacIntosh to find the scoresheet, recording a goal and an assist for the Red Wings in his debut.

In a radio interview during the first intermission of Sunday's Sea Dogs game, Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie said MacIntosh hopes to return to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League at some point.

Meanwhile, Sea Dogs forwards Alexis Belisle and Jeremie Jacob have been healthy scratches for a couple weeks now - much like MacIntosh had been.

Tuesday Notes: Will 2017 be 2011 all over again?

Could New Brunswick sports history repeat itself in 2017?

The UNB Varsity Reds won a national championship on home ice on Sunday. It was just the second time the Varsity Reds had won the University Cup at the Aitken Centre and the first since 2011.

As Saint John Sea Dogs fans will remember, 2011 was a special year down the highway as well, with the Dogs becoming the first team from Atlantic Canada to win the Memorial Cup.

Like 2011, the Sea Dogs will enter the playoffs as one of the top teams in the Canadian Hockey League and the No. 1 seed in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. And like 2011, the Memorial Cup will be played in southern Ontario.

Will the V-Reds and Sea Dogs both win national championships in 2017? It's a possibility.

Saint John's 2016-17 playoff run begins at Harbour Station on Friday night against the Rimouski Oceanic.

Some notes..

• This year's Memorial Cup hosts, the Windsor Spitfires, are in tough to make it out of the first round of the OHL playoffs. Playing in a ridiculously stacked Western Conference, the Spits are forced to play the London Knights in the opening round.
• The Erie Otters became the first team in CHL history to record four straight 50-win seasons. The Sea Dogs were one of the few teams to be tied for the previous record with three.
• Sea Dogs goaltender Callum Booth has been named the QMJHL's second star for the month of March. According to the league's release, "in five games where he was credited with the win in all of them, the Carolina Hurricanes prospect maintained a 1.20 goals against average and 0.946 save percentage, as well as obtaining one shutout."
• In The Hockey News' Future Watch, Thomas Chabot was named one of hockey's top prospects.

DOGS DAILY: Theede vs Bent

A couple of former Sea Dogs dropped the gloves on Tuesday night in Halifax.

During the first period of the Titan-Mooseheads games, Dawson Theede and Kelly Bent fought. Here’s video, via John Moore:

Theede was in Saint John’s lineup for the Bent/Veleno/Imama incident in December. Theede now has four fights this season.

Bathurst won the game 7-3, giving the Titan (4^th) a four-point lead over the Mooseheads (6^th) in the Maritimes Division standings.

In other news…

• Jason Bell, acquired by the Titan from the Sea Dogs during the holiday trading period, played in his second game with Bathurst on Tuesday night.
• The Titan are now 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 games. They don’t play the Sea Dogs again until Jan. 30 in Bathurst.
• Rogers TV colour commentator Craig Eagles has a blog post on Luke Green.
• Before Sunday’s game, Mathieu Joseph was named the Sea Dogs’ player of the month while Oliver Felixson was named the student of the month.
• The Florida Panthers’ 12-game winning streak came to an end last night with a 3-2 overtime loss in Vancouver. Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and led all Panther forwards in ice time (21:29) in a second star performance.

NOTEBOOK: Dogs Back In Action

After defeating two of the league’s hottest teams last weekend, the Saint John Sea Dogs return to action tomorrow (Friday) night when they face the Islanders in Charlottetown at 7 p.m.

The Islanders, 5-3-0-1 on the season, are coming off a Quebec road trip last weekend where they won just one game. Charlottetown got off to a 4-0 start this year but were handed their first loss of the season by the Sea Dogs on Sept. 25 at Eastlink Centre.

Charlottetown remains without one of their best forwards in Daniel Sprong, who made the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season opening roster.

On Saturday, the Sea Dogs will host the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada at 7 p.m. at Harbour Station.

PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

Last weekend, goaltender Marc-Antoine Turcotte was named Saint John’s Irving Oil Player of the Month.

According to a team release, Turcotte “finished the month with three wins, a 2.49 goals-against average and a stellar .932 save percentage in six games played.”

Meanwhile, forward Joe Veleno, a St. Malachy's High School student, was named the Swagelok Student of the Month.

3/4 #we'vegotgoals 6 players with Annie Somers at Samuel-de-Champlain French CEGEP - and 4 plys at St. Malachy's High School with J. Craft.

— boots (@paulb_a) October 6, 2015

THOMAS BACK AT UNB

The Brunswickan has an article on former Sea Dogs captain Mike Thomas returning to UNB.

“I missed the game,” he told The Bruns about taking last year off from hockey. “I realized I missed the competitive spirit that playing for UNB had to offer, but I’m happy to be back and focused on winning a championship with a great group of guys.”

Thomas, who played with the V-Reds in 2013-14, will join the team after Christmas upon completing academic requirements.

The V-Reds, who finished second at the University Cup last season, open the regular season on Saturday at home against the UPEI Panthers.

Sea Dogs Notebook

VITO’S

Vito’s posted this photo on their Facebook page last week. Click to enlarge.

MOVEMBER

Movember is winding down but there is still plenty of time to donate to the Sea Dogs team.

The team announced last week that Scott McCain “will personally match donations to the Saint John Sea Dogs team, up to a maximum of $3,000.”

“Movember is a special reminder to all of us that we need to collectively do all that we can to fight this terrible disease,” the Sea Dogs CEO said in a release. “I'm happy to support such an important cause and I wish good luck to the Sea Dogs in their fund-raising attempts.”

Fans can follow the progress of the Sea Dogs team and make donations HERE.

SCHOLASTICS

Aidan Kelly was named Saint John’s scholastic player of the month for October. He is a business student at UNBSJ.

“The Scholastic Players of the Month UL Mutual are a great initiative by the QMJHL,” said UL Mutual CEO Jacques Desbiens  in a release. “We are very proud of having been invited to contribute and to add the name of UL Mutual, your mutual for life.”

GALIEV

Stanislav Galiev was sent back down to the East Coast Hockey League’s Reading Royals on Wednesday. The Washington Capitals even made a press release this time around.

Galiev played for Reading on Wednesday and was a +1 in a 5-4 shootout win over the South Carolina Stingrays. The former Sea Dogs forward was given a shooting opportunity in the shootout but did not score. Galiev has now played in two ECHL games but has yet to record a point.

In nine games with the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears, Galiev had an assist.

PHILLIPS

Rant Sports is analyzing some of the Minnesota Wild’s first round draft picks from the past few years. That includes Zack Phillips.

“So far this season, that success has not translated into the AHL, where he has just five points through 14 games,” writes Bob Spencer. “At just 20 years old, Phillips has a lot of development left, but what he has shown so far certainly has Wild fans buzzing. It’s still too early to really grade this pick so I have to default and take the middle ground.”

They gave Phillips a ‘B’ rating.

Two Sea Dogs Named February Stars

SAINT JOHN – Two members of the Saint John Seas Dogs have been named Quebec Major Hockey League stars for the month of February.

Sea Dogs captain Jonathan Huberdeau has been named the league’s first star for the month. According to a QMJHL release, “author of 21 points in 10 games, Huberdeau scored 11 goals, including four winning goals. His +/- is just as impressive with +16. Moreover, he played three games of four points in February and is only missing one point to reach his all-time QMJHL career record of 200 points.”

Defenseman Nathan Beaulieu has been named the second star of the month. The Montreal Canadiens prospect “collected 15 assists, a record among all QMJHL players for the month of February with a total of 17 points in 11 games. He also maintained an extraordinary +/- of +12. On February 11th, he landed a new record for a Sea Dogs defenceman with his 135th career point, burying Simon Despres’ 134 points.”

Quebec Remparts forward Frederick Roy was named the third star.

The Sea Dogs went a perfect 10-0 in February, outscoring opponents 52-16. They have a three-point lead on the Shawinigan Cataractes in the race for first place.

Saint John begins their March schedule tonight at 7:30pm against the PEI Rocket.

Sea Dogs Notebook

THE MIXER

King Mazda was the place to be on Wednesday night as the Sea Dogs held a team autograph session at the dealership. Photo courtesy of Kyle Ferguson. 

SCHOLASTICS

St. Malachy’s High School student Jonathan Huberdeau has been named the Sea Dogs’ scholastic player of the month for January. The Sea Dogs captain tweeted this yesterday.

“Just finished my last exam of high school in NB !! #2highschooldiploma #toooldforthatbutstillproud thanks @stmguidance for everything !!!!”

One player from each QMJHL team is selected each month. The players are selected for their school results, their implication, the school-hockey conciliation, their team spirit and their on-ice performances.

PROMOTIONS

The Sea Dogs announced today that a bunch of promotions will take place this month.

This Sunday,”the team will combine two popular annual themes, as the Journée des Francofans meets the Valentine's Day Spectacular at Harbour Station. The theme for the 3 p.m. game against the Acadie-Bathurst Titan is “From Saint John With Love.” Fans will be able to purchase bread, wine and cheese, there will be live music and mimes, and the first 400 female fans will receive a carnation courtesy of the Sea Dogs. In addition, Ganong Bros. Limited will be providing free chocolates.”

The February 17 contest that will air nationally on Sportsnet is also Country Music Night at Harbour Station. Fans are encouraged to wear cowboy boots and hats, on-air personalities will be in attendance and of course, country music will be played throughout the game. Country night plus national television will make for an interesting combo. Here's hoping Rob Faulds wears a cowboy hat. 

Fans looking for the absolute best value of the season can take advantage of a Toonie Night on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Youth upper-bowl tickets to the 7 p.m. game against the Halifax Mooseheads are available for just $2 (plus $1 service charge) with the purchase of an adult ticket. The savings continue on Sunday, Feb. 26, as fans can take advantage of special Family Day pricing to purchase four tickets for only $46.

Then on Tuesday, February 28, the exciting conclusion of the Brunswick News Rivalry Cup will take place.

Sea Dogs Notebook

PHILLIPS NAMED FIRST STAR

The QMJHL named Sea Dogs forward Zack Phillips the first star for November yesterday.

“In 13 games, the Saint John Sea Dogs forward tallied five goals and 18 assists while posting a +13 rating,” states the league’s website. “Phillips established a new team record by recording at least one point in 20 consecutive games. With a total of 48 points, he trails league-leader Zach O’Brien by only four points. Phillips registered 16 of his 23 points during the Sea Dogs’ eight road games. Phillips has been a key offensive producer in the absences of Stanislav Galiev and Jonathan Huberdeau.”

Quebec Remparts forward Mikhail Grigorenko, who netted a hat trick against Saint John a couple of weeks ago, was named second star. Moncton Wildcats goaltender Roman Will, who suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to Saint John on Tuesday, was the third star.

MOVEMBER

The Sea Dogs announced their Movember results yesterday.

According to a Sea Dogs release, “the team solicited donations throughout the month, amassing nearly $2,000 towards the cause. Sea Dogs Chairman and CEO Scott McCain matched that amount Thursday, bringing the total to nearly $4,000.”

Stephen MacAulay raised $490, the most on the team. In a social media poll issued by the Dogs, fans voted Spencer MacDonald as the best moustache grower while Mathieu Corbeil was named the worst.

RAISING THE ROOF

The Sea Dogs also announced yesterday they “helped promote another community cause this week, making a donation to the Raising the Roof campaign to fight youth homelessness.

“The team purchased red toques for players, coaches and staff, and posed for photos wearing the distinctive headwear, which is being sold to raise money for the Saint John Youth House project.”

Toques can be purchased at the Human Development Council on the 3rd floor of the City Market, or go to http://www.raisingtheroof.org/ to order online.

Here is a SeaDogsTV video about the campaign.

Huberdeau Named October's 3rd Star

Jonathan Huberdeau has had quite a start to his season.

In his first 10 games back with the Saint John Sea Dogs, the third overall pick in June’s National Hockey League Entry Draft recorded seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points. He sits third in team scoring behind Danick Gauthier (23 points in 17 games) and Zack Phillips (25 points in 14 games).

Today, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League named Huberdeau the third star for the month of October. Rimouski defenseman Jerome Gauthier Leduc and Gatineau forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau were named the first and second stars, respectively.

Along with averaging just over two points per game in October, the Sea Dogs captain was an impressive +18. He went pointless in just two of the 10 games and recorded multiple points in seven contests.

Saint John is 9-1 since Huberdeau’s return and have won seven straight games since he was named captain on October 13.

The Florida Panthers prospect was named the QMJHL’s first star of the week yesterday.

Gauthier-Leduc recorded nine goals and 12 assists in 12 October games and recorded a +12 rating. The defenseman enjoyed a record-breaking stretch in which he registered at least one goal in eight consecutive games, eclipsing a 32 year-old record held by Gaston Therrien. The record was established against his former club, the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, on October 21. 

Pageau had 14 goals and six assists in 10 games with the Olympiques in October. 


Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

DeSERRES NO. 2 STAR OF THE MONTH

Saint John Sea Dogs goaltender Jacob DeSerres was named the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s second star for the month of December today.

From a QMJHL release:

The second star goes to the Saint John Sea Dogs backstop Jacob DeSerres. The goaltender had an excellent month with a record of six wins and only one loss. He finished the month with a 1.55 goals-against-average and .929 save percentage by stopping 188 of the 198 shots he faced. His only loss occurred in a game in which he did not start. DeSerres finished the year on a very good note, adding a shutout to his record in a game against the Moncton Wildcats.

Following a 4-3 shootout victory over the Acadie-Bathurst tonight at Harbour Station, the 20-year old now has a record of 14-2-0-0, a goals against average of 2.24, and a save percentage of 0.919. DeSerres’ goals against average and save percentage are both good for second overall on the league.

The Sea Dogs continue their goaltending rotation of DeSerres and 19-year old Frederic Piche. With the trade deadline looming, there have been reported rumours about a possible switch in goal involving either Victoriaville’s Antonio Mastropietro or University of Maine netminder Martin Ouellette.

Gatineau Olympiques centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau was named the month's first star while defenseman Andrew Randazzo was the third star.

Photo Credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation

SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

ST. LAURENT OFF TO SOLID START
Former Sea Dogs netminder Karel St. Laurent is off to a solid start with the British Columbia Junior ‘A’ Hockey League’s Surrey Eagles.

St. Laurent made his debut on November 4th in Langley, an 8-4 Eagles win. Saint John’s backup goaltender in 2008-09 and 2009-10 made 37 saves in the victory. He then backstopped Surrey to a 5-4 overtime win over Langley the next night.

"He hadn't played for two or three weeks and he admits in the first game there were one or two goals he would like back," Eagles head coach Matt Erhart told Surrey Now last Tuesday. "He was better the next two nights; he made some big saves for us, especially in the third period and overtime Friday. He's been really solid for us."

"He played major junior hockey for the past three years," the coach said. "He's been on a really good team for the past two years as one of the two goalies playing for them. When he became available we thought he would be a good addition to the team."

THE POUTINE
SN reader Paul Leger has been telling us about his dream of having poutine sold at Harbour Station for quite awhile.

So, Paul has created a online petition to help support the movement. Apparently, Harbour Station doesn’t currently have the proper equipment to make the cheese and gravy goodness. We encourage everyone to sign, mainly because Harbour Station menu options are few and far between.

We still don’t know how you can have a QUEBEC Major Junior Hockey League team and not sell poutine.

HOFFMAN NAMED MR. JANUARY

Mike Hoffman continues to tear up the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season. The 20-year old sits ninth in league scoring with 33 goals and 31 assists in just 40 games this season. His 33 goals puts him second in league goal scoring and sits two behind Cape Breton’s Luke Adam who has 35 goals in one more game played.

Hoffman was recognized for the second time this year today, picking up the QMJHL’s offensive player of the month award for January.

“In ten games, the forward collected seven goals and twelve assists while posting a +6 rating,” read a QMJHL press release. “Moreover, two of his markers were game-winners. The Kitchener native registered at least one point in each game, helping the Sea Dogs record eight wins in the past four weeks. Saint John is first in the overall standings and sits at the top of the CHL BMO MasterCard rankings.”

Hoffman’s two game winning goals this past month gives him 11 on the season, the most of any player in the league.

The former Voltigeur has his two star line mates to thank for the award. Nicholas Petersen is the league leader in +/- and Stanislav Galiev leads all rookies in scoring.

Two other Sea Dogs were considered for the monthly honors. Tomas Jurco came up short for top rookie while Simon Despres was a runner up for the defensive award.

Jurco has been one of the hottest players in the league since the calendar turned to 2010. In 10 games, the Slovakian has seven goals five assists. He failed to register a point in only one game.

“David Savard earns the hardware for a second consecutive month on defense. In twelve contests, the Wildcats defenseman recorded three goals, including a game-winner, and added fifteen helpers. Furthermore, he registered a +12 rating. Savard has collected at least one point in his last eleven games. Moncton has also been strong in shorthanded situations, posting a 94.5% success rate. The Wildcats have won their last twelve games.

“Alex Belzile gets the nod as the month’s top rookie. In twelve games, the 18-year-old center registered three goals and added thirteen assists while posting a +3 rating. The eleventh round selection in last year’s entry draft also netted a game-winner. Since graduating to the QMJHL after the Christmas break, Belzile has recorded twenty-one points in fourteen games, failing to register a point in only two contests.”

SEA DOGS NOTEBOOK

DIDOMENICO’S RETURN
Drummondville Voltigeurs general manager Dominic Ricard has confirmed that former Sea Dog superstar Chris DiDomenico will be arriving is Drummondville in the coming days.

"DiDomenico could not fly on Sunday because of an appointment that was scheduled at the last minute,” Ricard told L’Express. “(Toronto Maple) Leafs doctors met with him before his departure. He will however be in Drummondville next week. Hopefully he will be able to make his return to the game in mid-February.”

In order to make room for DiDomenico, The Volts acquired defenseman Rémi Blanchard (90-06-27) from the Acadie-Bathurst Titan for Ryan McKiernan (89-07-27), a third round pick in 2010 and a second round pick in 2011.

Saint John does not play Drummondville again this year pending a possible playoff matchup. Drummondville has been extremely active on the trade front and have a good chance at repeating as league champions.

POLL RESULTS
This week’s Station Nation poll results were by far the most interesting we have ever seen. The question was, “can the Sea Dogs win the division without making any other trades?”

The results were a dominating “yes they can” in the first few days. But then Moncton came along with all of their deals, then the rumors about Jake Allen and Alex Wall to Cape Breton (which are not true) began. The Sea Dogs, who appear to have had their phones disconnected, stood back and watched.

It seemed the final straw was Thursday’s shootout win over Moncton with the Cats missing nine regular players. The results turned in the other direction with “no, they can’t win the division without making any other trades,” winning 14-13.

OUELLET REPORTS TO SHAWINIGAN
According to the Telegraph-Journal, Olivier Ouellet has indeed reported to the Shawinigan Cataractes.

Ouellet, who left the Sea Dogs for personal reasons, was traded to Shawinigan on December 21 with a sixth round draft pick for a fifth round draft choice in 2010.

He will know join Marc-Antoine Gelinas in Shawinigan as former Sea Dogs now playing for the Cataractes. They play at Harbour Station on February 20.

FLEABURN DOMINATION
As the old saying goes, “he beat you fair and square.”

After a controversial first challenge at Harbour Station, Wild Willie lost to Fleaburn on home ice last Thursday, giving the Sea Dogs mascot the Rivalry Cup contest sweep.

Fleaburn, who was battling sickness according to is popular Facebook page, defeated Willie rather easily in an entertaining contest at the Moncton Coliseum.

"I don't know what that thing is that Moncton has for a mascot,"' said Sea Dogs President Wayne Long to the Times & Transcript. "I think Wild whatever-his-name-is has an identity crisis. He needs some counseling."

Speaking of Moncton mascots, whatever happened to Fur ball?

BUSY SCHEDULE
After being off since last Thursday, the Sea Dogs kick off a tough three game, four day home stand.

The Sea Dogs host the Moncton Wildcats tomorrow as this game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, Jan. 2 but was postponed due to inclement weather in southern New Brunswick. Fans may still use their tickets as they are printed on Wednesday at Harbour Station.

Cape Breton is in town on Friday night and Montreal on Saturday. Fans listen to each game on News 88.9 FM. Station Nation will have all your pre-game coverage.

READY TO UNLOAD?
If the Saint John Sea Dogs are having trouble finding players to acquire during the trading period, Patrick Roy could be the answer.

According to Willy Palov of the Halifax Chronicle Herald, the Quebec Remparts could be unloading.

“Elsewhere in the league, it appears the Quebec Remparts may unload some of their top veterans rather than try to load up for a run at a league title,” said Palov. “It seems head coach/GM Patrick Roy is leaning towards reloading for next year after his bid to land star goalie Jake Allen fell through last week.

“Among the players that could be on the block are Kelsey Tessier, Peter Delmas, Danick Paquette, Alexandre Neron and Samuel Groulx. The Moncton Wildcats are rumoured to be the front-runner for Tessier and perhaps one of Quebec’s defencemen, with rugged 16-year-old blueliner Dillon Donnelly the player most likely to be used as bait.”

After the Sea Dogs defeated the Quebec Remparts 6-4 at Harbour Station earlier this season, Roy sounded like he needed some anti-depressant medication because he was so sad over his teams loss.

READY TO RIOT
Saint John fans sound like they could be ready to riot Harbour Station if director of hockey operations Mike Kelly doesn’t make a move soon.

It’s gotten so desperate that even thoughts of Boston College star Chris Kreider joining the team after the World Juniors have began. That’s what happens when the trade period is so dry, hallucinations begin.

To frustrate fans even more, Nicolas Deschamps and Remi Blanchard have both confirmed that Saint John made offers but lost both.

The deadline wraps up on Thursday afternoon at 1:00 pm.

THREE DOGS GIVEN CONSIDERATION
Three Saint John Sea Dogs were nominated for the QMJHL’s player of the month awards for December.

Mike Hoffman was given offensive consideration, Nathan Beaulieu was given defensive consideration, and Stanislav Galiev was given rookie consideration. Hoffman and Galiev both won their categories last month.

Sean Couturier of the Drummondville Voltigeurs is the award-winner on offence, David Savard of the Moncton Wildcats gets the hardware on defense, and Marek Hrivik gets the nod among the rookies.

DUO NET MONTHLY HONORS

Mike Hoffman and Stanislav Galiev earned the right today to have their picture plastered on the QMJHL website for the month of December. Hoffman won the QMJHL’s offensive award for November while his line mate, Galiev, won rookie of the month. Victoriaville’s Kevin Poulin won defensive honors.

“Mike Hoffman of the Saint John Sea Dogs is the award-winner on offence,” read a press release. “In ten games, the 20-year-old forward registered ten goals and ten assists while posting a remarkable +15 rating. Furthermore, four of his tallies wound up being game-winners. Finally, he failed to collect a point in only one contest. Saint John has won its last seventeen games and is closing in on the all-time record (25) held by the Sorel Éperviers (1973-74).”

“Stanislav Galiev of the Saint John Sea Dogs is the month’s top rookie. In nine contests, the first overall pick in last July’s CHL Import Draft collected three goals and nine helpers. He also posted a +14 rating. Galiev opened the offensive floodgates during the past four weeks, helping him get a share of the rookie scoring lead (29) with Jakub Culek of the Rimouski Océanic.”

Sea Dogs goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas was considered for the defensive award.

Somewhat surprisingly, this marks only the second and third time a Sea Dog has won player of month honors in team history. The other was Chris DiDomenico who collected offensive honors for the month of September in 2007.